The next section of the Millennial Instructor has a page about Mormon's promise to the Lamanites. In the Book of Mormon, Mormon asks a question directed to the Lamanites:
"And now, behold, I would speak somewhat unto the remnant of this people who are spared...Know ye that ye are of the House of Israel."
So with this lovely theme we decided to talk about the modern day Lamanites. This lesson was probably full all sorts of political incorrectness although I tried my best. We didn't call them Indians but instead called them Native Americans. I explained that sad and difficult things have happened to the Native American tribes since the first explorers came to the American continent. But considering my children's ages (5 and 3) I didn't go into detail.
However, it was helpful to discuss some of the hard things they went through like the "Trail of Tears" when the Native Americans were driven from their homes in 1830. This was a fulfillment of Mormon's prophesy: "For this people shall be scattered, and shall become a dark, a filthy, and a loathsome people" and, "behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles."
Our activities:
First, we watched the Living Scriptures movie called Mormon and Moroni to tell the story of Mormon and how he received the mission to write the history of his people on the American continent by combining records and abridging records to make up what we have now as the Book of Mormon.
Then, I read the section called Mormon's Promise in the Millennial Instructor. I had to stop a few times and explain but the pictures were helpful. I didn't know about a man names John Elliot who translated the Bible into the Algonquian language with the help of some local Massachusett Indians.
Next, we used shapes cut out of construction paper to make a Native American headdress. This is where I am sure we are getting out of our PC box. I am sure they didn't look quite like this but it was a fun activity to review patterns from math and glueing.
Also, we found this gem of a video (below) on how to make a paper canoe. I couldn't help but laugh while we watched it. This lady actually has a lot of paper craft ideas and she explained it well enough. You'll see. :) The kids really did have fun making these. They especially enjoyed decorating them.
Then, for fun we watched Disney's Pocahontas. I explained that this movie is just for fun and is not accurate. But it exposed them to more of the Native American culture (Disney-style, of course). Then we watched the Living Scriptures Pocahontas to tell the "real" story.
In the end I let them know that the most important message for them to take away from this lesson the last few days is that the Native Americans are part of the House of Israel and will be gathered as a part of this gathering of Israel before the Lord returns.
"Know ye that ye are of the house of Israel. Know ye that ye must come unto repentance, or ye cannot be saved...Know ye that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities, and believe in Christ, that he is the Son of God...And ye will also know that ye are a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first covenant."